The Future of Green Energy Solutions – Green Energy vs. Traditional Energy Sources

 

The Future of Green Energy Solutions

This week’s topic is a special one as we have the opportunity to feature a special guest post by Thomas Sinfield.  Thomas has a passion for alternative energy and will be sharing the many benefits of Green Energy along with sharing the difference between Green Energy vs. Traditional Energy Sources.   We are very excited about this topic on The Future of Green Energy Solutions at My Eco Maid and hope you enjoy.

 

The Future of Green Energy Solutions by Thomas Sinfield

Alternative energy or green energy sources have been garnering international attention recently. This results in the reevaluation of all available energy alternatives. Since oil prices continue rising up, there is a rapid growth in demand for green energy sources. Because of this, the green energy market has seen significant growth for the past couple of years.

Green Energy vs. Traditional Energy Sources

Some countries, such as the United States, use both non-renewable and renewable energy sources. Non-renewable energy sources are energy fuels that diminish and cannot be refilled, while green or renewable energy sources are energy sources that can be replenished continuously. Energy coming from the sun, water and wind, biomass and geothermal sources are examples of renewable energy.

While green energy is more expensive than conventional sources, it helps minimize pollution and preserve fossil fuels. Non-renewable energy, on the other hand, is much cheaper but generally produces toxic wastes that can be very harmful to the environment. Additionally, non-renewable sources of energy will eventually diminish, thus becoming more environmentally-damaging to collect.

Green Energy Sources

Since cleaner energy sources are gaining popularity, it is important to start discovering what each other’s features, advantages and disadvantages are. 

• Hydropower – or can be simply referred to as water power, is energy generated from the force of falling water. One of the oldest ways to extract power from nature, hydropower was used to provide energy to sawmills, watermills, dock cranes and irrigation systems.

 

Renewable hydropower provides energy without producing greenhouse gas and other toxic wastes. However, the dams required to generate hydropower can be very costly; and they block the rivers’ system, disturbing the inhabitants’ natural spawning and migratory patterns.

• Wind Power – is the utilization of wind turbines or wind mills to create electricity. The power generated from wind rapidly increases as the wind speeds up, therefore, locating wind turbines in windy areas is very important.

Although the power it produces is somehow intermittent, wind energy is very affordable, and renewable; and best of all, it does not release any harmful emissions.

• Solar Power – is generated by using the sun’s energy. It is a very efficient source of power and is able to supply sufficient energy to give light, heat, electricity and cooling system to homes, commercial establishments and other industries. Although the sun has a great potential for providing enough energy, it is still not commonly used. As a matter of fact, only 1% of the United States’ energy requirement is derived from the sun. 

 

While solar power generates no pollution, it is a very expensive form of renewable energy. Solar cells cost around $1000 and some more complex applications will require more than one cell.

• Geothermal Power – is the energy generated from natural heat sources such as underground hot water or steam. This is a cost-effective and efficient renewable power source.

 

While geothermal power is a cheap power source, installing it requires technical knowledge. Building it as a DIY project for homes is almost impossible. 

The Future Growth of Green Energy

Because the worldwide oil price hike seems to be an unstoppable event, use of renewable energy is predicted to increase by 30% in a span of 20 years in the US alone. And with the growing environmental concerns, utilization of these green energy sources is more likely to increase worldwide in the near future.

Mark is an Australian registered plumber who’s business,Solar Hot Water Queensland, supply and install hot water systems. He can also help you find out if you are eligible for any solar rebates from the government.

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